Town Column : Chilmark
By Jacqueline Sexton
Published: December 11, 2008
I've been wondering about the implications of being a resident of what a BusinessWeek survey calls the wealthiest small town in America. What's expected of us? Do we start the day by counting all our money? If so, it takes a lot less time than it did a few months ago. And when we get through paying the heating bills, not to mention the complicated, two-part electricity bills, any future surveys will blow us out of the water, so to speak. Sic transit gloria mundi (Thus passes the glory of the world).
Principal Dianne Gandy's newsletter tells us of a new exercise at the school. "Quiet Minds, Calm Bodies," the brainchild of Mary Ambulos, was presented at the last PTO meeting and will be incorporated into the students' morning routine. Helping with their expertise in the science were Melissa Mahoney, Nan Doty, Constance Messmer, and MJ Bindu Delekta.
Sounds like something we could all benefit from these days.
PTO chair Alicia Knight wonders if anyone would like to help her set up a "skate/winter-wear swap." If so, they are asked to call her or Rachel Hickey.
And what has become the annual adults-only Italian night fundraiser - dinner, dancing, auction - will take place on January 24. Call Alicia if you'd like to help.
The Friends of the Library invite everyone in town to the annual holiday party on Wednesday, the 17th, from 4 to 6 pm. The buffet table is always exceptional, and so is the company and the live music. There will also be a crafts table full of greens for anyone who wants to make Christmas decorations between forays to the food table.
The library's book sale starts today with hardcover books and videos selling for $1 and paperbacks for 25 cents.
Library director Ebba Hierta thanks the community for its generosity in filling up seven large boxes of donations for the Island Food Pantry. They will help make the holiday cheerier for a lot of people.
For those who don't wish to join the Christmas shopping frenzy, the solution is simple: shop here. The variety is endless, and the quality generally superior to anything you'll find at an off-Island mall. The people are nicer too. And there's usually the chance that the money you spend will do some good somewhere in the larger world. Marsha Winsryg's African Artists Community Development Project will be selling African crafts, and its Spindrift Marionettes will entertain shoppers with a puppet show depicting an African folk tale this Saturday, the 13th, from 10 am to 5 pm at the Charter School in West Tisbury. The puppet show begins at 3:30 pm. Proceeds from the sales go to Zambian children's centers. For more information, please call Marsha at 508-693-4059.
The Plum Hill Preschool will hold its annual Elves' Faire to benefit the school at the Federated Church in Edgartown. It's being held this Saturday, from 10 am to 4 pm. There will be crafts, puppets and refreshments.
The Martha's Vineyard Women's Network has come up with something new - an online list of things from all over Martha's Vineyard, with reasonable prices. Go to mvwomensnetwork.org.
Peter Boak and the Federated Church choir will have a concert this Saturday at 7:30 pm and again on Sunday at 3 pm at the church meetinghouse in Edgartown. There will be anthems and songs by the full choir as well as offerings by smaller ensembles and carol singing for everyone.
Here's a Chilmark Christmas story from Bonnie George, Garden Club chair for Chilmark: A few years ago the Garden Club planted two small trees in planters at the entrance to the library and decorated them with balls and ribbons and holly. After the holidays, librarian Ebba Hierta took them home and tended them until the next Christmas. So this year, again, we have the two small trees brought back by Ebba and decorated by Bonnie. Voila! A tradition has been born. They wonder, though, what will happen when the little trees become larger trees. Maybe they can be planted next to the magnolia bushes?
